BLOODBATH AT UEDCL! More Bosses Linked to Axed MD Mwesigwa Kicked Out in Ruthless Power Purge
Fear and panic have gripped corridors of Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited as a ruthless internal purge targeting officials linked to former Managing Director Paul Mwesigwa continues sweeping through the power distributor like a violent storm.
Insiders say the knives are still out and more senior officials believed to have been loyal to the knifed former MD are being systematically pushed aside in an aggressive restructuring campaign now shaking the entire institution.
The latest bloodletting exploded Tuesday, 5th May, after Acting Managing Director Eng. Joselynne R. Rwakakooko unveiled a fresh wave of acting appointments in a major management reshuffle that has left many staff members whispering in fear over who could be next.
The sweeping changes have affected critical departments including engineering, commercial operations, human resources, audit, communications and technology in what many insiders describe as a calculated cleanup operation aimed at consolidating a new power centre inside UEDCL.
Among the biggest casualties is Eng. Tibyakinura Protaze, who sources say had also been eyeing the juicy Managing Director seat but was politically boxed out in favour of Rwakakooko.
Protaze has now been replaced by Sylver Hategekimana who takes over as Acting Chief Engineering and Technical Services Officer in one of the most sensitive technical offices at the company.
Isaac Katewanga was named Acting Chief Commercial Officer, replacing Rwakakooko herself after her elevation to Acting MD.
In yet another major shift, Samuel Omoding was appointed Acting Head of Human Resource and Administration replacing Boniface Barongo, while former UMEME Media and Communications Manager Stephen Ilungole was handed the powerful docket of Acting Head of Corporate and Stakeholder Affairs replacing Jonan Kiiza.
Sources inside the company claim Kiiza had increasingly come under criticism from sections of management who allegedly viewed him as ineffective in communicating UEDCL’s broader vision beyond routine electricity shutdown announcements.
“People felt the communication department had become too passive at a time the company needed aggressive public engagement ahead of the Umeme transition,” whispered one insider familiar with the restructuring.
The purge has also swept through the technology and audit departments.
Nickson Ahabwe was appointed Acting Head of Internal Audit replacing Justine Nakagiri Ssemwanga while Richard Opiyo took over as Acting Head of Technology and Applications replacing Nelson Bagenda.
Francis Ddamulira was named Acting Manager Applications Officer while Christine Atuhaire became Acting Manager HR Officer for Business Partners.
The appointments come barely days after Rwakakooko herself was unveiled as Acting Managing Director following dramatic boardroom changes that insiders say completely altered the balance of power inside the state electricity giant.
Sources say the bloodbath is far from over and that even bigger sackings are looming at the troubled power distributor as management reportedly prepares for another sweeping wave of restructuring.
Insiders claim tension has now reached terrifying levels inside UEDCL with more than 200 positions advertised internally and externally, signaling what many workers fear could become a full institutional cleanup.
Sources say several top bosses are now “reciting the rosary 100 times a day” as panic spreads over who could survive the escalating purge linked to the fallout from former Managing Director Paul Mwesigwa’s exit.
Among the senior officials said to be under intense pressure are Dorothy Mubiru-Company Secretary, Jacqueline Kiwanuka- Chief Finance Officer, Moses Awateh-Chief Logistics and Production Officer, Nelson M. Bagenda-Chief Information Technology Officer, Isaac Serwadda-Head of Projects and Construction, Innocent Byamukama-Head of Procurement and Disposal Unit and Isaac Mufumbiro-Head of Strategy, Compliance and Regulation.
Insiders allege that many of the officials now sweating for survival are being quietly profiled based on their perceived loyalty, influence and closeness to the old guard that operated under the Mwesigwa era.
“The fear is real. People are reporting early, leaving late and avoiding unnecessary fights because nobody knows whose name is next on the chopping board,” a highly placed source whispered.
Others within the company fear the ongoing restructuring could trigger silent wars, sabotage and deep divisions among staff as different camps battle to protect their positions in the rapidly changing power structure at UEDCL.
The ongoing restructuring is being closely watched across Uganda’s energy sector especially at a critical moment when UEDCL is taking centre stage following the expiry of UMEME’s concession.
Government is now pushing for stronger state control over electricity distribution infrastructure and service delivery, placing enormous pressure on UEDCL to prove it can handle the gigantic responsibility previously managed under private concession arrangements.
Industry observers say the company is now operating under intense public scrutiny and mounting expectations to improve efficiency, reduce outages, strengthen customer care and lower power losses while keeping electricity affordable for Ugandans.
But behind the official communication, insiders insist the real drama is the fierce internal war unfolding silently within the institution as factions battle for survival, influence and control in the post-Mwesigwa era.
Sources claim several officials associated with the former regime are increasingly feeling politically exposed as the restructuring gathers momentum.
In her internal memo to staff, Rwakakooko attempted to calm nerves and rally employees behind the new management changes.
“I am confident in our collective ability to deliver reliable, affordable and sustainable electricity supply that will shape our country’s socio-economic transformation,” she stated.
However, behind closed doors, insiders say anxiety remains high as workers continue speculating about who could be the next casualty in the escalating purge shaking Uganda’s power distributor.
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